Build a Solid Computer Repair Tool Kit with These Tools

Computer Technician’s Toolkit

As a computer technician you need to have the right tools in your computer repair tool kit with you at all times in order to perform your job effectively. Showing up for a job only to have to leave right away because you don’t have the correct tool may not leave a good impression with a client. So make sure you read through this article, check against your own PC repair kit and buy anything missing you need. Listed below are pre-built kits and many individual items I use.

Click on the titles or links below to go through to see more information, product reviews (by others), to buy and more (designed to open in a new tab, so you can continue reading through the list).

PC Repair Kit – Many in one Tool Kit:

This set has everything else you will need when working on laptops including MacBooks. It comes with Pentalobe, Slot, Phillips, JIS, Torx, Torx Security, Hex, Square, Triangle, Tri-Wing, and Nut driver bits.

This PC Repair kit is a new addition. By buying all these items in one kit you will likely save money. It makes a very handy all in one (or rather many in one) repair tool kit. It actually includes the iFixit 64 bit toolkit (the big brother to the one above) along with many PC repair tools.

So what do I carry in my computer repair tool kit?

In the following article I would like to share with you the tools I carry with me in my PC repair kit so I am always ready to tackle any job. Use this list to build your own toolkit so that you will always be prepared.

A Favorite PC Repair Tool:

I love this screwdriver set. All of the bits are contained within the screwdriver itself and can be easily changed by simply twisting the shaft. I no longer have to worry about carrying around separate bits and finding the right one before attempting a repair. This set also includes a precision screwdriver that works great on laptops. It’s great because it makes your computer tool kit lighter!

Essential in a computer tool kit:

A flashlight can be very handy when trying to look into a dark computer case, behind a rack, or when tracking down rogue screws. I like this one because it’s bright, small, lightweight, and easy to use.

These little pocket knives are very useful not only for the knife itself but also for the small scissors that make cutting wire ties and other things very easy. This one is basic but has the essential functions. If you want you can buy a bigger one with more blades and functions for your PC repair kit. It is an all-in-one but I think it is essential, hence I’ve included it under the ‘Essential in a Computer Tool Kit’ section.

Fewer computers are shipping with optical drives so it’s nice to have an external one with your laptop repair tools in case you need to access bootable media like a Windows install disc or repair tool.

These are a must have for any tech computer repair tool kit. I primarily use mine for data recovery when the OS is irreparable and won’t boot or when the machine itself has a hardware failure and I need to recover something quickly. It can also be handy when transferring data from an old PC to a new one.

Used to quickly check a power supply for problems and will sound an alarm if any abnormalities are discovered. It can also check your Molex, PCI-E, and SATA power connections as well. This one is very popular!

Portable memory that doesn’t overload your computer repair tool kit:

Every tech needs a flash drive. I use mine to carry all of my portable apps and software updates as well as a place to store temporary files. The ADATA Superior Series is neither the best flash drive on the market nor is it the worst. It’s a good flash drive for a good price and it’s USB 3.0, which is great as a professional because it is faster.

Having a portable hard drive can be handy when your flash drive isn’t enough. I mainly use mine for large file transfers and storage. As a professional, it is important to have large storage without the bulk as I’m always carrying it. These days I also have a 4 TB portable external drive because with massive amounts of memory consumed with data files, image and video files even a 2 TB drive can be consumed pretty quickly – but which you buy depends on your needs.

Computer Repair Software Tools:

The Hiren’s BootCD is a computer technician’s best friend. It’s a bootable CD that contains a huge set of tools to help you troubleshoot and repair even the most corrupt machines.

Tools to test USB Speed

I have a separate article which gives you three utilities to test USB speed, and hard drive speed for that matter.

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows

[Sorry – the site http://www.ubcd4win.org/ doesn’t seem to be responding anymore. I’m going to leave this in here as a placeholder in case they get up and running again. But for now sorry this link doesn’t work. -Ed.] If Hiren’s can’t do the job then the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows is another great option. It also contains a huge set of tools for troubleshooting various issues.

The Mobile Office:

Since I need to have both a Mac and PC repair kit, this is my machine of choice. If I need to boot into Windows, I use VMWare Fusion. For techs that don’t want to buy a MacBook but would still like to have the ability to troubleshoot OS X issues, you can run OS X inside of Windows using VirtualBox.

For the office

By all accounts this one is very study and comes in two designs. I like the taller one that sits beside the desk, though some will love the very low one that can hide under your desk. They’re on wheels so you can move it exactly where you want.

I know of people who have a wireless printer a little remote from their desk, but pull it closer when they have to do a lot of scanning. Click through (via the link or image) to see the under desk version.

The Computer tool kit:

And this is where I keep my laptop and immediate tools. The Kenneth Cole Reaction Laptop Bag looks professional, makes a great computer repair tool kit and comes in three different colors. It has just enough pockets and space for my tools and also fits my 15 inch MacBook Pro perfectly. The rest of my tools are stored in a toolbox that stays in the trunk of my car.

Computer Technician’s Toolkit Summary

So there you go, those are what I have in mycomputer repair tool kit. I know it is a long list so well done for working right through it. Is there anything missing do you think, or what other tools do you keep in your computer tool kit? Does your tool kit have a slant towards being a PC repair kit, Mac Repair kit, for networks, software fixes, or everything you need for consulting? Did you decide to buy more tools, if so which ones? Please leave your comments below for feedback and to help others like you.

28 Comments

I love this post – most of these tools are with me 24 hours a day and I often feel like a doctor carrying around my version of a stethoscope and thermometer!

The best tool I now have (not technically a tool I know) was attending the CCNA courses through Cisco as I found that as a self employed computer technician I completely opened up a whole new world of job opportunities once I got these qualifications…

This is one of the pleasant surprises of browsing/surfing or whatever you want to call it. You are able to easily discover something that matters or at least entertains. I like you to know that I enjoyed this.

I wish I had a toolkit. 🙁 But, I think this is an excellent guide, and furthermore, you seem to have done an excellent job of keeping the toolkit multipurpose and multi-functional, perhaps even allowing for minor fixes outside of anything “tech” related. Going to share this article for sure, and I can’t wait to read the second part of the article. Thank you for this information.

I wish I could have that tools even if it is already used, cause I cannot afford to buy. Please give me your used tools so that I can start a small business. for donations please call me at (+63)9472138511. Thank you

Love the post. I have always been a puter geek and passionate about working on systems. In fact that’s what I do with too much of my time when I’m not doing psychology. I would love to do IT full time but it seems that I would be starting at the bottom and would likely take some years to catch up. Think? I have worked for Northrup Grummand in IT hardware but only for a year while I was in school. Anyway, love the post and I enjoy all the tools as well!

I am just starting my own small business right now. My focus is small and medium sized clients in Perth – Australia. http://www.refinedit.com.au

This is my list which is a little more comprehensive and I wouldn’t use a MAC book, not because they’re not good.. Just as most computers you will be servicing would be Windows. Well the vast majority anyway?

I would also suggest being very well prepared. If a client calls you out to fix something, make sure you can actually fix it. Remember a combination of experience, your tools and supplies will help you excel in the field above other IT service companies. I have about 12 years exp fixing IT problems.

Very Pro ??? Not near enough !!! This should know everybody with high tech school degree ! This is only where the real job begins and one must be ”pro” technician actually do something both hard/soft skilled and tech high education here is not enough not near it ! This is common knowledge what described here !

I also carry a null modem adapter, a Cisco RS232 to RJ45 console cable and a Dell Sonicwall RS232 to RJ45 cable. Those get me into most, if not all, network devices that still use serial (which is a surprisingly large percentage).

Thanks for all the post. Steve you should try using the google translation App to help with your post. It detects the language you type to the language you want to translate to. Next you copy the translated text and just paste it where you are posting. Good day.

My toolkit consists of an assortment of screwdrivers and bits, an LED flashlight, an anti static wrist strap, thermal grease, CMOS batteries, a small multitool, a USB drive, a DVD/DC cleaning disc, and a couple of Linux Distro’s. Have to say…most PC problems I deal with are due to the fact that Windows is utter CRAP.

This is a spot on forum, also here is a video of the tools that I carry in my bag after about 7 years of field work and administration, I carry most of the tools mentioned above and you can see a few. Hope it helps. https://youtu.be/B8wF8kcr9z4

The network cable tester here is not very good. The first one I fried by plugging into a live POE, stupid X( and the second stopped working all on it’s own after only a few uses. Has anyone experienced anything similar or should I give them a second chance?